This anonymous interview is with an Academic Librarian who has been a a hiring manager and a member of a hiring committee at a library with 0-10 staff members.
What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?
enthusiasm
commitment to service
ability to problem solve
Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?
focusing on a small aspect of the ad instead of the big picture.
What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?
Something similar to “I am the perfect fit for this position!” Especially when the applicant doesn’t address the job posting in any concrete way.
Is there anything that people don’t put on their resumes that you wish they did?
Many resumes are task driven instead of accomplishment driven. Tell me why I should care about the tasks and how they relate to the position you are applying for.
How many pages should a cover letter be?
√ Two is ok, but no more
How many pages should a resume/CV be?
√ As many as it takes, but keep it short and sweet
Do you have a preferred format for application documents?
Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?
√ No
If applications are emailed, how should the cover letter be submitted?
√ I don’t care
What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?
Be sincere. I can tell if you are saying the right words but don’t really mean it. I want to hire people that are passionate about what they do.
What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?
Not being prepared for questions that could be expected based on the ad. If you are applying for a position in ILL, you should know something about current issues in that field.
How has hiring changed at your organization since you’ve been in on the process?
I am looking for people with a broad range of skills that are willing to learn new things. If you have a good service ethic, I can train you on the details.
Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?
We write ads carefully. Be sure to address the responsibilities in the ad carefully. Highlight both your strengths and the areas where you think you could grow.
